I am humbled and amazed at the many thousands of volunteer hours that are
given to the local Estate Planning Councils by volunteer leaders and committee
members, with the high calling of connecting all of us as a broad advisor
community. To learn, network and collaborate in service to our clients is so
important and the success of our local Councils and NAEPC is because of these
dedicated volunteers.

As I travel the country speaking, guiding, and encouraging these council
volunteer leaders I am so thankful for their devotion to their members. Please
also take a moment to thank your council volunteers!

I would be remiss in not also thanking our council executives and the NAEPC
administrative team. I estimate there are over 125 paid staff members at the
local council level. I know for my home council in Spokane, Heather DeMar is the
person who keeps the organization on the right path, covering all the details
that go into running an Estate Planning Council, in essence making the
volunteers shine! For NAEPC, Eleanor Spuhler is the Executive Manager and of
course the heart and soul of NAEPC and is deserving of so much credit for her
hard work and devotion to the mission of NAEPC. I also acknowledge Susan
Austin-Carney, JD, who serves as the AEP® Designation Administrator for her
exceptional efforts, work, and care of all AEP® designees, and to Sarah G.
Butterfield for her support of the councils and technology-based portion of our
member services. Make sure to thank these devoted members of our councils and
NAEPC and please be sure to attend the
Annual Advanced Estate Planning
Strategies Conference where we can all meet n person!

If you have a desire to volunteer at the local or even national level there
are always opportunities to serve. Contact your local council leaders to ask how
you can help. To volunteer on a NAEPC committee please
complete the application.
We are looking forward to your help and service.

We Americans are generous with our time and talents. I believe volunteering
for a professional organization like the local Councils and NAEPC is truly a
gift. As we know in the estate planning world, time is the most precious asset
and this gift is much appreciated by all of us!

We look forward your comments and ideas as we work together as a NAEPC
community. Enjoy a delightful upcoming summer season.

With warmest regards,

Who
Are We?
by Leonard H. Neiman, CLU®, ChFC®, AEP®

Editor's Note: This issue we are proud to share with you reflections offered
by Leonard H. Neiman, who passed away suddenly in January. We are thankful to be
able to share his thoughts with you in this newsletter. Len was truly a presence
within NAEPC and will be missed by all who knew him.

The NAEPC is the epitome
of "We." NAEPC has, for years, brought together the diverse groups of
disciplines—lawyers, insurance, trust bankers and accountants. In the spirit of
collaboration, NAEPC has promoted the art of teamwork both in spirit and
practice for the ultimate results for our clients. NAEPC also serves the needs
of its diverse group of over 200 councils across the country. They range in size
from the mega councils to the smallest. NAEPC's professional staff provides
assistance to these councils on a daily basis. The Council Relations Committee
members actively contact the local councils and offer advice in their
operations. The annual meetings, known professionally for providing incredible
educational opportunities, also provide a forum for councils to share in the
operations. In short, NAEPC is the glue that keeps the engine running for the
benefit of all of our clients. I served on the NAEPC Board for 17 years and
chaired the Council Relations Committee for much of that time. It has become one
of the most important committees of the Board.

This
new section of NAEPC News will highlight the activities and good work of one of
the
NAEPC Estate Planning Hall of Fame® members in each issue. It is very
exciting to kick-off the Spotlight with Martin M. Shenkman, CPA, PFS, MBA,
JD, AEP® (Distinguished) of Fort Lee, New Jersey.

Inducted into the Estate Planning Hall of Fame® in 2013, Marty has been a
long-time friend of NAEPC and has given his time freely to the national
association and its affiliated councils along with countless charitable
activities and endeavors, including his own charity
RV4TheCause, which helps
those living with chronic illness, their caregivers and loved ones by educating
professional and consumers about estate, insurance, and financial planning.

Most recently, Marty was honored by The American Cancer Society and its
National Professional Advisor Network as the inaugural "National
Professional Advisor of the Year." In tandem with receiving this honor, Marty,
his wife Patti, and their canine companion Elvis embarked on a speaking tour
through 20 states, during which he will offer presentations on behalf of The
American Cancer Society to numerous organizations, and to several estate
planning councils! This cross-country tour will be followed closely by a webinar
co-hosted with Stephan R. Leimberg, JD, AEP® (Distinguished). NAEPC
congratulates Marty on the receipt of his recent award and celebrates his
tireless work and unlimited energy while educating the advisor community.
Congratulations, Marty!

Recent Changes to the
Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) Designation Program

Building on amendments to the program requirements accepted late in calendar
year 2016, we are pleased to announce several additional changes to the
Accredited Estate Planner® designation
criteria. We believe these changes are reflective of the changing nature of the
profession and build on the addition of the previous changes, which were:

The addition of "philanthropic professional" to the list of accepted
disciplines

Slight changes to the NAEPC definition of estate planning and applicant
declarations

The Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credential is acceptable in
place of the graduate coursework requirement for CPA applicants with less
than 15 years of experience provided coursework was taken to obtain the PFS
credential.

We are excited about the expansion in 2016 and are most excited to announce
the 2017 change: the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
designation is now accepted as a qualifying credential and we welcome those holding
it to contact our office to obtain more information.

Please note, applicants for the AEP® designation must meet all program
requirements, complete the application in its entirety, and agree to comply with
all ongoing recertification requirements as well as the NAEPC Code of Ethics.
For additional information about the AEP® designation program, please visit
www.NAEPC.org/AEP.

The Accredited Estate Planner® Designation Committee wishes to express its
gratitude to William D. Kirchick, Esq., AEP® for continuing to lead the task
force charged with reviewing qualifications & requirements of the designation
program.

*Applicants must take the Advanced Estate Planning Course (GS815) through The
American College.
**Special requirements must be met and approved by the national office before
applying.

Member Benefits

NAEPC provides a diverse offering of Value Partners as a resource to you, a
member of an affiliated local estate planning council! Take a look at our new
benefits, or click on the links below
to browse the list by category, or see the
full list of
opportunities.

The AICPA Advanced Estate Planning and Personal Financial Planning
Conferences join AICPA ENGAGE this June. Experience four days of fresh ideas and
breakthrough presentations—all under one roof.

Bring the greatest value to your clients by becoming the most trusted
resource for navigating shifts and changes in the global economy. Immersed in
four days of leading-edge best practices and ideas from esteemed thought leaders
in financial planning and estate planning, you'll learn why past attendees rave
about this conference every year.

Choose among five tracks for focused learning: Insurance and Risk Management,
Investment Management, Practice Management and Technology, Wealth Management and
Tax, and Retirement Planning. You'll refine business strategies, implement new
techniques, and learn a holistic approach to every life stage affecting your
client's financial outlook.

Learn more and register. NAEPC members are entitled to take advantage of a
$100 discount by using code "100ENG17" at checkout.

Notre Dame Tax & Estate Planning Institute—October 26-27, 2017

In partnership with the Notre Dame Tax & Estate Planning Institute, the
Estate Law Specialist Board (ELSB) offers attorneys a unique opportunity to
participate in a live review course and proctored exam to earn the
Estate
Planning Law Specialist (EPLS) certification—the only national board
certification in estate planning—on Wednesday, October 25, 2017. The review
course will be taught by Jason E. Havens, JD, LL.M. (estate planning), LL.M.
(international taxation), BCS, EPLS, AEP®, TEP, on campus at the Notre Dame Law
School from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm followed by the two-hour proctored exam which will
begin promptly at 2:00 pm. A reception will be held at the conclusion of the
exam. Once registered for the proctored exam, candidates will be contacted by
the Estate Law Specialist Board and provided the application for certification which
must be completed and returned to the ELSB office by Wednesday, October 11th in order
to participate in the on-site review session and exam. To obtain the
certification, applicants must successfully pass the examination and their
application must be approved by the national review committee. Please note that
the exam will be offered in hardcopy format only and exam results will be
communicated within thirty (30) days. Cost for members of an NAEPC-affiliated
local estate planning council is $595 and for non-members the fee is $645.For
more information and to register, please contact the ELSB office at
866-226-2224. All registrants for the review course and the exam will receive a
10% discount on tuition to attend the 43rd Annual Notre Dame Tax & Estate
Planning Institute!

The
43rd Annual Notre Dame Tax and Estate Planning Institute will take place on
October 26 and 27, 2017, at the Century Center on the banks of the St. Joseph
River in downtown South Bend, Ind. The Institute continues to present practical
topics, relevant even if there is no estate tax. The advantage of simultaneous
sessions is that one track can focus on creative planning for estate tax
reduction while the other track can cover topics relevant for all families, even
families with a net worth below the estate tax exemptions. As in the past, the
Institute will provide topics focused on income tax planning, such as assignment
of income to taxpayers in lower marginal income tax brackets, including
elimination or deferral of state income taxes. With dual sessions, individuals
attending the Institute can choose topics relevant to their clients.

Of interest, is the session devoted to evaluating the different life
insurance policies and the proposals using life insurance that sometimes seem
too good. The speaker will first address the type of policy most appropriate for
a client's objectives and then discuss how to evaluate proposals using life
insurance that may or may not be misleading, such as using premium financed life
insurance as a retirement plan substitute. Finally, the speaker will discuss
proposals using life insurance that are flawed so that the advisor can steer the
client away from a flawed proposal as illustrated in the recent Weber Tax Court
decision.

A topic that will become important did not exist a few years ago: Electronic
Wills. Imagine sitting in your home, logging on to fill out your will with two
witnesses and a notary online via a Skype connection. This is the future. It is
coming fast.

We are grateful for the support of all conference sponsors and exhibitors.
Please click on each logo to learn more:

Robert G. Alexander Webinar Series

The
Robert G. Alexander Webinar Series
was created in September 2013 to provide estate planners with accessible, high
quality, multi-disciplinary education. Programs are available live and on-demand
and attendees can choose to register for individual programs, or for a series
subscription. We hope you will join us for an
upcoming program:

Wednesday, July 12, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm ETMeet the Rileys: Can this Case be Closed? • Philip Cubeta, CLU®, ChFC®, MSFS,
CAP®
Join this intermediate to advanced program to plan for J.D. and Mary Riley, age
70, as they plan to exit their $18 million S-Corporation and transition to
greater giving and community engagement. What holds them back as they
contemplate signing off on their plans? Where might our process have gone wrong?
Can the case be saved? REGISTER HERE

Continuing education credit is available at each webinar for Accredited Estate
Planner® designees. In addition, a general certificate of completion will be
made available for those professionals who feel the program satisfies their
continuing education requirements and are able to self-file.

Individual program registration fees:

$40 for active AEP® designees

$60 for council members

$100 for non-members

$250 for a group gathering

Series
Subscriptions are also available! The yearly subscription offers a
substantial discount to attend all of the programs during the calendar year!
After completing the registration you will be emailed a discount code that can
be used to register for the programs you wish to attend. (Please allow up to a
week for processing.)
Register for the series.

$280 Accredited Estate Planner® designee - $360 value

$420 Member of an affiliated local estate planning council or at-large
member of NAEPC - $540 value

$700 Non-member - $900 value

$1,125 Council meeting / group gathering (one feed to be shown in a
single location to a group) - $2,250 value

Subscription
Options

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